8.4km as the Crow flies

17 early bird runners met at the Leisure Centre tonight, our flock welcomed Catrin for her first GoodGym run and Ed from GG HQ who migrated across from the Big Smoke for some city running South West stylee. After a warm-up and a headcount we made the most of a beautiful evening and a beautiful route following the sun along the River Avon.

Birds of a feather stick together

We never want a runner running 'owl by themselves' so we used a range of drills to keep the group together - step reps, loop backs and a quad burning set of ski squats. We finished off with a conditioning exercise 'last man sprints' - which, in honour of the bird theme within this report, shall now be renamed a 'Goose Run' (which is equally apt as when geese are are flying in formation they re-form when the leader gets tired!)

Alison was ready and waiting and raring to get stuck in at the task (actually she was chilling in the sunshine with a new feline friend - who with the help of our resident runner vet has been in contact with its owner and has hopefully since returned home!)

Helping at The Nest is the BEST

Our task hosts gave a quick introduction to the charity and its ambitions to provide clothes and equipment (age 0-5) completely free of charge. This service is available to anyone in BANES who needs it regardless of income, faith or background so if you know anyone who has little ones who can donate to or benefit from this fantastic charity then check out the website for further details: www.thenestproject.co.uk/

Boys and their toys

Ali , Allie and Catrin made a terrific trio tidying up the storage trays upstairs whilst the fab five: Ed, Mark, Rob, Sam and Tom were on toy cleaning duty and set straight to work. That left the tremendous 10 to sort out the clothing donations, separating the items according to age and gender. Jaxx's eagle eyes spotted that father-to-be Steve was window-shopping for baby Boden attire!

Time flies and so must we

The cuckoo-clock struck 7:30pm and it was time to fly The Nest and head back for a cool-down and a quick chat about the benefits of yoga to runners (check out BROGADOO for local Men's only yoga classes) also check out this article from Runner's World: https://www.runnersworld.co.uk/yoga-for-runners

Apologies for a slightly later return to base tonight. Thanks to Allie and Mary for back marking, to Rob for the pun brainstorming and for everyone for a great run and task well done. It was an epic distance for those new-to and returning-to running so expect a little ache and stiffness in the muscles over the next day or so, but don't let that feeling put you off, instead use it as motivation, feel proud of yourself and remember that you ran that extra mile to go the extra mile for charity and that's awesome.

It was legs eleven for our 5K Park Run tonight. We welcomed Ali in to the fold, she's quit the gym and joined GG which is a great move. We often include strength and conditioning exercises into our runs but for more fitness in the fresh air also recommended the Wild Gym outdoor exercise sessions run by our fellow GG runner and leader Lucy. https://www.wildgym.co.uk/

PARK LIFE

After a warm up and a headcount we set off through town running at the pace of chat and it was lovely to overhear Dora and Tom conversing in Spanish as we ran. We took in the iconic sights of beautiful Bath and an owl or (twit) twoo and arrived at our destination for our litter pick task in the playground at Royal Victoria Park.

WHAT A RUBBISH TASK!

There were bags a plenty to fill, Rosie and Emily hit a goldmine of pickings by the picnic benches. Emma assures us that it is merely coincidence that she recently visited the Jura distillery and we found an empty bottle of their whiskey on the park wall!

HOT SPOTS

Ruth enlightened us about the red wheels that have been attached to the park perimeter fence by artist Alison Harper to make visible the pollution in the air we breathe. http://transitionlarkhall.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Alison-Hot.pdf We're big advocates on cleaning up the local environment and encouraging everyone to use their legs as their transport so we snapped a pic of the Hot Spots artwork.

We moved on to the skate park and Rob took responsibility for the coins found and in his true fundraising fashion will donate them on. It was a lovely wind along the river finished off with a sprint finish ready for a cool down and we had a buzz of pun generation tonight over stretches as we hive mind-ed the pun. Big thank you to Mary for back-marking.

Good luck to Emma for the Two Tunnels 10k on Sunday and to all others who are racing this weekend.

Watch this space for announcements from Sam Ollason - the first being, lets reinstate the monthly pub quiz social, the next one falls on Thursday 30th August at The Boater, stick in your diaries folks.

Welcome to Sandy and Katie, who joined us for their very first GoodGym runs this evening!

After a quick headcount and a run through of everyone's favourite food (Dan's mixed grill seemed to garner the most murmurs of approval) we warmed up and made our way down to the river. We had a lovely short, flat run to St. John's Court, where our host, Chris, was waiting to greet us.

St. John's Court are in the middle of an upgrade to their outdoor area in order to make it a safer and more pleasant space for their residents. This evening we were tasked with giving the outdoor furniture a new lease of life with some sanding and painting. There were plenty of chairs, tables and paintbrushes for everyone to get stuck straight in. Chris kindly provided squash for everyone - what a treat!

The chairs and tables looked so great when we were done that some of the residents came out to thank us for our hard work. But our work doesn't stop here! Join us again next week when we'll be going back to do a second coat.

Given the short run and cooler evening air, we took the opportunity to do some fitness exercises in the beautiful Sydney Gardens on our way back to the ranch.

Thank you everyone for your amazing painting efforts tonight, and to Mary for some stellar back-marking!

A delayed start to spring but no delay in the 16 runners coming along for a 4k hilly run to Park Street Guerrilla garden to help Bill out on the community garden.

A few announcements and lots of cheers before heading out this evening

Double Heroes!!

Goodgym Bath coach runner Sarah has gained her wings with 100 Good Deeds and Steve has hit The Big 50 and become stealth like earning his black T-shirt, so CONGRATULATIONS to both.

Marvellous Marathoners

Double cheers for Sam (aka Paul) on completing his first Marathon in Paris and didn`t he do well, Pascale our seasoned marathoner on completing Taunton Marathon making that number 46 …. Great work!!

New face tonight ... Welcome Farrah poached from CAMDEN and she loves our hills.

The run out involved a little bit of hill climbing but nothing we aren`t used to in Bath and well worth it for the architectural beauty taken in on route to prove a great distraction and some additional speedy loops around the Circus for the faster members in the group before taking in The Royal Crescent and final push up to Park street itself where Bill was eagerly awaiting our arrival.

All for One and One for All

The Goodgym Musketeers to the ready weeding and ensuring the foot path was relayed with fresh bark chips by EMMA and kept clear of any overhanging growth, in all it took just 30 minutes to complete the task and Bill was left a very happy chappie, but we certainly need another visit here with lots to keep us busy.

THE WORM TURNS

In the firm of a few hill reps for those naughty ones in the group, not sure how our snap chat queen avoided these but theres always next time.

We headed off down the hill for a synced fitness session and core work on the Crescent lawns, a bit more practice is needed, it was even suggested that we have a dance class social.

Alison had a mini photo shoot for a health magazine for her recent interview with JO Willacy, looking forward to reading that one. Thanks to EMMA for back marking and to BARRY for a fabulous pun.

Goodgym Bristol is celebrating their 5th Birthday on Friday, so why not come along and show your support for our Goodgym neighbours https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/goodgym-bristol-5-year-celebration-a773c9e9-b290-4f61-9f0a-b2a40ee13b17

SPRING IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!

We managed to skip the snow at Goodgym Bath over the last week, so with a fresh start to the last week of winter (don`t forget the clocks go forward on Sunday) 12 runners took the 3k run along the riverside for phase two a starter session at St Marks community centre for the final push on the railing preparations.

Group warm up and headcount with  a memorable Mary theme from the group. Congratulations to Lucy on completing her personal training course and qualifying with flying colours.

Flying with our wings

Massive shout out to Mary on completing 100 Good deeds….Whoopee!!

That could mean only one thing, she`s was literally flying with her ‘white wings’  as she led the group out in ceremonious style along the river bank to our task destination at St Marks community centre.   Alex was ready to get the group underway with the tools for the job, a final safety debrief from Steph on working with old paintwork. All masked up and ready to go working hard for 30 minutes on rubbing back the paintwork with a further 10 minutes to dust down and clear up behind ourselves.

A few hill reps for some of the lads and a bit of sprint work before heading back to the leisure centre and regroup to stretch out and take a vote on tonight’s pun options.

Well done Joe ...All Rail Mary!! So we literally did just that for our very own Mary Clean of Bath.        

A disappointing weekend with running events being cancelled for everyone due to the snow, however this didn’t stop a hearty group of 15 fabulous runners from coming along this evening to take on the mighty 7 k run up the notorious Holloway hill to St Phillips and St James’s Church to give the institutional room a fresh lick of paint.

Welcome along to Ella joining us for her first Goodgym run…Whoop!! and fab to have ALLIE and MARCUS back for more.

CONGARTULATIONS to CHRISTOPHER on a 2:1 in his Exam results

We have a few landmark Good Deed achievers looming ever closer, which will mean some more new T-Shirts amongst the group…. Great to see the commitment we have in Bath.

Headcount with a memorable moment incorporated ... This never runs smoothly but always raises a smile or five and some really cheesy moments going down tonight.

Two groups heading up

The run out this evening was taken in the form of two groups to ensure a smooth transition up to Odd Down to our task destination, the big question being do we take Bloomfield road or the wellsway?

Andy our host was full of energy and enthusiasm on our arrival. Rollers at the ready to get all emulsional for this worthy task for a great community space for the residents of Bath and with many isolated older people attending weekly groups here, it`s all the more rewarding to be able to help out. ANDY did a sterling job guiding one or two on the art of using a roller and generally lovely to hear everyone 'whistling while they worked' if you get my drift.

licked it in 35 mins

A quick clean up before rushing off . Joe proved to be great support for the group photo., with some asdistance.

Heigh ho,Heigh ho, it`s back down the hill we go! to the leisure centre for a much needed stretch out with PASCALE at the helm for this one, she's a super star that one.

Thank you to EMMA, PASCALE and myself or back marking/ leading the individual groups and to CHRISTOPHER for tonight`s pun for the run report.

Our intrepid 12 runners at Goodgym Bath were not put off by the threat of snow but embraced a flat heart warming 8k run to The Nest Project to help sort through a mountain of donated children’s clothing and baby equipment.

warm welcome to MARCUS joining us for his first Goodgym run ...WHOOP!!

A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS before warm up

Nearly 50’s - Alison 46 Steve 45 Nearly 100’s- Sarah 94 Mary 92

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE RUNNING AT BATH HALF and ESPECIALLY PASCALE WHO IS DOING THE GREEN MAN ULTRA ON SATURDAY - 46 miles of self navigation so let's hope we see her again :-)

A nice steady relaxed run out tonight to keeping it steady for those doing Bath Half Marathon on Sunday, we don’t want any last minute injuries.

Into the warm

Our host Pip was waiting inside ready to give some warm relief with some chocolate biscuits and water.... THANKS PIP.

3 TASKS ....no problem

Puzzles to make up and check for missing pieces in one corner. Cleaning toys and equipment in the kitchen. Sorting through donated baby clothing with some help upstairs to from Sam and Chris to re arrange the storage boxes.

TIME FLIES

No snow to speak of as we headed back to the leisure centre but a tad chilly after being in the warm.

Thanks to Chris for back marking and Mary for tonights pun.

GOOD LUCK for the weekend racers and remember we are getting together at The Boater post Bath Half so feel free to come along and meet fellow Goodgym runners from the south west.

Fourteen fantastic runners pounded 8.4 kilometers through the back streets of Bath tonight. We ran some of the Bath Half Marathon route in reverse and added in some lunges and running drills to mix up our running pace (the jury's out on what we call it, Canadian Mounties, Indian Runs, Last Man Up!).

NO ACTION = THEIR LOSS!!!

We arrived at Action on Hearing Loss with our green fingers at the ready only to find that our host had already left for the day! Undeterred and ever flexible we took a race countdown in British Sign Language from a Deaf resident and ran off into the night to seek out an alternative task.

KEEP OUT - GoodGym is about!

The faux road-painting scheme didn't prove to be a sustainable substitute but luckily we were in the right neck of the woods to pick up a stash of AgeUK flyers to distribute around Oldfield Park instead.

We got to get a few step-reps in to keep the heart rates up whilst delivering the information leaflets about AgeUK services and activities door to door then headed back to base for our cool down stretches.

Well done to those who raced the Two Tunnels at the weekend and for those who are preparing for the Bath Half Marathon enjoy the rest of the training and the taper down.

Thanks to everyone for being super flexible about the last minute task change tonight. Thanks also to Emma for First Aid pack carrying and Alison for the pun and for back-marking.

With only a day until Valentine's, love was clearly in the air for the remainder of GoodGym Bath, but a Magnificent Seven runners warmed up and began a scenic shuffle around Bath's Georgian backstreets before embarking on a Strava-based fitness challenge.

Welcome back to Allie on her first Goodgym Run of 2018!

Our first challenge was a fitness test with a twist: using Bath's famous Circus as our canvas, we succeeded at drawing a Valentine's heart before dropping for a set of quad-burning squats, enough to make even Steph wince!

Welcome home to a very tanned Pascale who's returned from the warmth of Kenya and will be leading next week's pursuit!

Continuing our romantic theme, we ran away from the Circus and swept past the Royal Crescent before dropping down into Royal Victoria Park.

Tonight's task

The team turned their attention to cleaning the skate park, before hanging up their litter pickers for a spot of raking in the play area. With the sand all smoothed out, there was just enough time for a play on the swings before a quick run back to base for a cool down stretch and some superb punnage from Allison and Steve!

Huge thanks to Pascale, Sam, Tom, Allie, Steve and Allison for your enthusiasm on my first leader run! You all smashed it tonight!